Hi, and welcome new Subscribers. If you haven’t read my fabulous update on social media, I am here to let you know my recent cancer surveillance scans were NED (no evidence of disease)! This was my first six-month screening in six years, and that, friends, is what I call epic news. For those of you just joining me, you can read about how dedifferentiated liposarcoma interrupted my life as a seafood cookbook author/podcaster turned speaker, to holy wtf, this disease could kill me?
I wrote the letter below after receiving the great news. I’m working on a poem called “Not Today,” which I’ll drop in the next issue.
Dear Cancer,
You can take my kidney and my spleen. You can take part of my pancreas and colon, making digestion a lifelong challenge. You can give me stress. You can even take all the hair from my body. You may even one day take my life, but not today, cancer. Not today. Today, I am NED (no evidence of disease) again.
And for the record, cancer, you will never take my dignity or my fire! 🌻
Maureen xo
Obvs, I’m still breathing, writing, and creating. Thank you for all the well-wishes and good vibes. My battle isn’t over, as this cancer has an extremely high chance of recurrence, and the oncologist wants to see me again in six months to keep an eye on three small nodules on my right lung. With two abdominal surgeries to remove tumors thus far, I take nothing for granted.
Today, I’m writing about fashion, not in the sense that I’m a fashion writer, but about what I wanted to do with my life versus what actually happened in my life. Maybe you can relate.
Thanks for being here. I appreciate and respect your time. As always, I look forward to hearing from you whether you tap the heart, drop a comment, reply to keep things private, or share this with your people.
M xo
If I had an opportunity for a do-over, I would’ve attended art, fashion, or design school because, and not exclusively, I love the feeling I get when I see a well-crafted look, whether it's a piece of art, a house or building, a book cover, a garden, a gallery wall, or an outfit. Now, one doesn't necessarily need a degree to produce art or live a fulfilling creative life, but some jobs require a level of education and experience. So what did I do with my younger self? Instead of attending art school (because, according to the gospel of Mom, art is a risk, and I needed to figure out how to support myself financially, and wow, did I want to impress her at all costs), I studied Criminology and Pre-Law. I interviewed for jobs at the city police, the FBI, and the Secret Service. I took my first job post-college as an undercover store detective in a high-end retail department store. I got distracted by love, which evolved into a ten-year stint as a restaurateur in the Florida Keys, followed by a decades-long career as an industrial food sales rep and broker, a food blogger, then a cookbook author and speaker. Then, as you now know, cancer, which, at fifty-eight, evolved into art. Finally, art.
Recently, I binge-watched Project Runway, S2. On the show, the stakes are high: $250,000 plus a lofty mentorship and fashion sponsorship. There’s no snark among the designers, or at least none that the viewer is privy to. Some designers are helpful, sewing zippers or offering advice, but for me, the draw was seeing designers create something wearable, well-made, and commercial, while staying true to their style. And it’s not just this show and the fashion I’m inspired by. Other shows, such as Next in Fashion, Queer Eye, Bridgerton, Emily in Paris, and recently, Wear Whatever the F You Want, inspire me.
There is no going back, no lamenting over what I could have, should have, or would have done. The thing is, I don’t need permission, an art school education, or anything else to do what’s in my heart.
Case in point: Meet my Glam Girls below. They’re fun, abstract fashionistas in my journal, which is the best place to work things out, play, and discover. GG’s were made with an ink brush, glue, cut-up greeting cards, fake eyelashes, magazines, Christmas wrapping paper, and more. I even dedicated a Glam Girl to the iconic, world-famous fashion queen, Iris Apfel (1921-2024). This is art for art’s sake, #funartnotfineart, art with no purpose other than the thrill I get from creating.
Many of us do things we don’t want to do, or do things that don’t make sense. We don’t follow our passions because we get distracted. And lord, is there enough distraction for a lifetime in today’s highly politically charged world? Eventually, if you keep at whatever you’re doing, you’ll ultimately find a few things that'll bring you happiness, or at least fill you with gratitude and offer peace. Maybe, like me, this zen will arrive when you’re at your lowest point.
Well, that’s it this time, lovely people. I hope this letter brought you some distraction and fun. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you again for being here. If you’re interested in seeing my watercolor art, I have a few pieces available in this letter: Watercolor Art for Sale.
If you’re reading this for the first time and want to subscribe, tap the Subscribe button. All issues of pARTake are free.
M xo
Stay curious. Stay safe. Make an impact.
What a fun post❣️🙃
I love your GG's so much Maureen!! They remind me of the girls I used to draw in fancy dresses (a million years ago)!